Ward 7's Yvette Alexander launches fitness challenge

By
Mike DeBonis

Most people wait until the end of the holiday indulgence season before embarking on personal fitness resolutions. Not D.C. Council member Yvette M. Alexander (D-Ward 7).

Today, Alexander's kicking off a "health fitness challenge" outside the new Yes! Organic Grocery in her ward, and she wants to make her personal quest to shape up her constituents' quest, too. To that end, she's inviting residents to work out with her and she's arranged for free fitness classes at neighborhood rec centers.

Alexander, 49, recently hired her own personal trainer, and residents can call Alexander's office for a list of fitness activities in Ward 7, whose residents have high rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

"Everyone's like, why not wait until January?" she said. "But now's the time to get started. People are sending me cookies, chocolates. ... I want to get a jump start on the new year."

Alexander says, on the advice of her trainer, she's less focused on poundage and more focused on cutting down on the body fat and building up her muscle mass. She'll be posting her menus and fitness regimen on her Web site daily -- and well as her progress, measured in pounds and inches.

"I guarantee you will see a marked difference in three months," Alexander said.

And she is promising not to indulge in that monthly tradition of council gluttony -- the pre-legislative meeting breakfasts where council members take turns treating their colleagues to steam trays piled high with bacon, eggs, sausages and more.

When her turn to buy breakfast comes around, Alexander said: "I'm going to have some healthy options. You may see some yogurt, some oatmeal, some fruit."

But there will be bacon and eggs for everyone else. "Not everyone is overweight," she said.

The only thing this fat cow will loose and continues to loose is respect. Really, why is it that the only time we hear anything about this woman it’s something that has nothing to do with her elected post? How about introducing some legislation that makes sense.Oh, I'm sorry that would be like Stevie Wonder driving. Meaning it will never happen. Alexander, keep being the joke of city hall because district residents could use the humor. Classic!

The only thing this fat cow will lose and continues to lose is respect. Really, why is it that the only time we hear anything about this woman it’s something that has nothing to do with her job? How about introducing some legislation that makes sense.Oh, I'm sorry that would be like Stevie Wonder driving. Meaning it will never happen. Alexander, keep being the joke of city hall the district needs the humor. Classic.

The only thing this fat cow will lose and continues to lose is respect. Really, why is it that the only time we hear anything about this woman it’s something that has nothing to do with elected post? How about introducing some legislation that makes sense.Oh, I'm sorry that would be like Stevie Wonder driving. Meaning it will never happen. Alexander, keep being the joke of city hall the district residents could use the humor. Classic.

Councilwoman Alexander is doing the right thing for a change. I live east of the river in ward 7 and usually I'm disappointed by her actions as well as what comes out of her mouth. Hopefully she will stick to this. But if she does not finish this I will not be surprised as her record on getting things done is poor. It is so sad that people out here don't really expect much from her.

Who cares about what this idiot does? One thing is certain, that between her and Marion Barry, there will always be some some level foolishness going on. I tell people from my home town about the politics of DC and how she is always good for a chuckle! Thanks Yvette now I will have something else to talk about over the holidays. Keep them coming.

Why this bit of information about her is important is a mystery to me. She seems to be famous for grabbing headlines for meaningless topics. If you ask me it is just another pathetic attempt by her to be relevant.

Alexander is to lazy to do anything that requires effort and that includes reading. If knitting and surfing social networking sites where sports she would be considered a champion athlete. Since they are not I don't see her losing anything but time.

We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.

User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.